Kohlby Murray (Fair Haven, Vt.) posted a career-high 26 points and led a quadruplet of double-digit scorers, but the Norwich University men’s basketball team could not keep up with Northern Vermont University-Johnson’s efficient offense in a 91-81 loss at Carter Gymnasium in non-conference action on Thursday evening.

The Cadets took no time getting on the board, courtesy of a pair of Owen Liss (West Suffield, Conn.) baskets and back-to-back Murray treys that gave Norwich a 10-0 lead.  Donovan Lewis Jr. (Savannah, Ga.) gave the Cadets their biggest lead the game, 14-3, moments later.

The game shifted significantly after Lewis Jr.’s jumper, as NVU-Johnson embarked on an 18-0 run, building a lead that eventually grew to double-digits halfway through the opening frame.  Leonard Brice (Denton, Texas) trimmed the lead down to five on a dunk with 49 seconds left in the half, before the Badgers took a 45-39 lead into halftime.

Norwich took gradual steps in cutting into NVU-Johnson’s lead, tying it on three occasions before Brice broke a 68-all deadlock on a lay-in.  The Cadets’ 70-68 lead quickly evaporated, as the Badgers closed the final eight minutes on a 23-11 run to claim the 91-81 victory.

Four Cadets cracked the double-digit mark, paced by Murray’s career-high 26 points.  Liss and Lewis Jr. tallied 19 and 17 points inside, while Jalen Olivero (Holyoke, Mass.) rounded out the four with 10 points.  Brice added nine off the bench.

The Badgers featured six players in double-figures, with Maleek View logging a game-high 29 points on a 12-20 shooting clip.

Norwich will look to rebound on Tuesday, hosting Lesley University in the second game of a doubleheader in Andrews Hall.  Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.